August 29

Martyrdom Of St. John Baptist

Preparation. - The Holy Ghost tells us that St. John Baptist came to give testimony unto the Light of the world, Jesus Christ (John 1. 7). He gave this testimony, first, by the martyrdom of penance during his whole life, and secondly, by the martyrdom of blood at his death. Let us examine whether we are, like him, ready to give up our life rather than lose Jesus through mortal sin, for such is the testimony He expects of us. “That he might give testimony of the light.”

I. Penance Of St. John Baptist

Coming upon earth to heal diseased mankind, the Redeemer prescribed penance as its remedy. St. John Baptist, from his tenderest years embraced penance. Having withdrawn into the desert, he slept on the bare ground, wore garments of camel’s hair, drank the water of torrents, and fed on locusts and wild honey for about thirty years.

Then he taught others with his words what he had preached to them by his example, saying: “Bring forth fruits worthy of penance, for now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down and cast into the fire. He that shall come after me, is greater than I, whose fan is in His hand; He will thoroughly cleanse His floor, and gather the wheat into the barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire” (Mat. 3. 8-12). Thus did the holy Precursor give testimony to the spotless Lamb, who came to expiate the crimes of the world by His privations and sufferings. His example and his words already proclaimed the future sayings of our Saviour: “Except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13. 5).

We, who are sinners, ought to recall the following truth: first, no fault is forgiven without repentance; secondly, after forgiveness there often remains in our soul wounds to be healed, temporal debts to be paid, either in this life, or in the next; and thirdly, the spirit of penance is always necessary to keep up in us compunction, purity of heart and watchfulness against relapse. A penitent soul mistrusts herself, flees danger, maintains her fervor, prays without ceasing, mortifies herself, remains humble, and perseveres in the practice of virtue to the end of her exile here below.

Are these dispositions ours? The saints, though guiltless, chastised themselves rigorously and feared being lost; and we, on the contrary, though so often guilty, pander to our body, gratify our senses and satisfy our self-love; and yet we hardly fear our weakness or dread the account we shall have to render to God.

O Jesus, my Redeemer, impart to me the most lively contrition; and inspire me with the courage to mortify my eyes, my tongue, my appetite, all my senses and perverse inclinations, so that I may wholly subject myself to Thy adorable will. I henceforth intend to unite myself to Thy sadness in the garden of olives, when preparing to receive the sacramental absolution, and bewailing my faults in the nightly examination of conscience.

II. Martyrdom Of St. John Baptist

Fearless of the power of a cruel king who had married his living brother’s wife, John Baptist openly reproved him in his incest. He thus gave testimony to Jesus, who came to teach the indissolubility of marriage, to make known to all His most holy doctrine concerning chastity, and to open a new era, in which pure souls were to be honored and would every where spread the perfume of virginity. His testimony cost him his life, for, under the influence of Herodias, his accomplice, Herod ordered him to be beheaded. Thus died Christ’s holy Precursor, a martyr to his zeal.

He had been foretold and sanctified already before his birth. He was the “Angel” predicted by the prophet as destined to prepare the ways for the Messiah. And how did he smooth these ways? By his austerities, his preaching and his blood. He glorified the Redeemer by both his life and his death. In fact, what is more glorious for Jesus, the incarnate Wisdom, than to behold His servant preaching the truth to kings and tyrants, and willingly to die in its defense? O generous devotedness! O admirable courage too seldom witnessed on earth!

How much should not his example encourage us to overcome human respect, when duty is at stake! Why should we care for what people may think or say of us? Their thoughts and words can do us no harm, when God and His angel approve us. Were we even despised and humbled all our life for having done our duty, shall we not be one day rehabilitated in presence of the whole world by Him who was nailed to a gibbet of shame in return for His benefits? And, moreover, can there be any disgrace in being treated like so many saints and martyrs, the true imitators of Jesus crucified? Let us not blush to confess Jesus Christ before men, when our conscience requires, were we even to be hated and despised for it by the wicked.

O my God, protect my heart against the worldly fear that tends to keep me from fulfilling my duties faithfully. Stifle in me all vain apprehensions, and enable me in all things to act as in Thy sight, with the sole intention of pleasing Thy infinite majesty, before which all earthly dignities are as a mere nothing. Most Blessed Virgin, exempt from all weakness, strengthen my soul in the practice of virtue.